Aromas being with dark candy sugar and equal dark fruits. As it warms I get more of the bready base malt and some increading plum and red apple skin; emerging alcohol as well.

The tastes begin with bready, grainy maltiness with emerging candy sugar sweetness that help to balance the slight alcohol kick. Dark fruits, mainly fig, plum and grape skin emerge as it warms.

The mouthfeel is full medium-full bodied with medium-high carbonation. Finish is big and bold with emerging spicy yeast flavors that work well with the high effervescent carbonation.

Overall this is a good example of a traditional Belgian Strong Ale. Nothing to out of this world of revolutionary, just a solid from one of the Trappist legends. More tempered as far as the spiciness goes which I appreciate and enjoy over the examples with too much yeasty flavors.

Awesome. Period. If you think regular Achel is good, the extra is great! I took a tour of the brewery at Achel and the 750ml format bottles (the format for the Achel Extra and the Blond Extra...which is also great) are bottled right there at the brewery by the monks. The other Achel beers (the 330s) are bottled off-site at at a larger bottler. The extras are really good!!

T: Raisiny sweetness through the mid palate, leading into a spiced rum and then a light, non-bitter hoppy note, finishing dry. Lots of complexity; somewhat like an aged beer, without the concentrating effect that aging usually has.

Into the tulip a somewhat clear ruby garnet Indian red body, then fills with deep mahogany brown color. Head has a nice creamy even texture, whipped up faint tan chocolate and light mocha cream in appearance. Wonderful rising carbonation, just a fantastic looking beer.

Palate hits with a little light body, but the richness comes through. Dense dark cherries, mild figs and raisins follow. Tight carbonation with a slight wet texture. Malt sweetness bringing in all the notes from the nose nicely. Vanilla finish and cream on the swallow... just coating so nicely.

Overall a real big fantastic tasting brew from these guys. Real solid and impressed this isn't a style I get excited about often, but this beer really delivers.